An active yet easy-going dog, the Australian shepherd loves to romp with children and tends to get along well with other pets. Australian shepherds are great family pets, herding animals, police dogs and competitors in obedience trials.
Your Aussie will bond to his family and be protective of and loyal to them. Many dog owners are surprised to learn that even though Aussies have strong guarding and herding instincts, they are sweet and cuddly indoor dogs that can even be kept in apartments.
In addition to being herding dogs, Australian Shepherds serve as Seeing Eye dogs, hearing dogs, drug sniffing dogs, and search and rescue dogs. Because of their high intelligence, Aussies are well suited to do a wide variety of jobs.
Australian Shepherd
Despite their high energy, Aussies are usually quiet. They may bark to alert their owners of a stranger or an unfamiliar situation but other than that, you won't hear much from them.
Some Aussies, especially females, can be manipulative and are smart enough to figure out how to get what they want. Some are stubborn and dominant (they want to be the boss) and will make you prove that you can make them do things. To teach your Aussie to listen to you, "Respect Training" is mandatory.
The breed is considered highly intelligent and easy to train. Aussies are known for being especially eager to please their owners. True to their herding instincts, Aussies are very protective of their families and territory and will let you know if strangers approach, but they are not considered aggressive.
While a Mini Aussie may love the outdoors, certain weather conditions may make them hit their pause button on heading outside. They do well in colder weather and enjoy it up until the freezing point. Their double coat provides protection from the elements.
If you are a first-time owner, you're probably wondering, at what age will my Mini Aussie calm down?! All puppies and young dogs experience a period of extreme activity. In Aussies, it should stop at around 2-3 years of age.
Keep in mind the average Australian Shepherd tends to bark a lot, making it a little more challenging to get him to stop barking unless you give him the 'speak' command or there is a situation in which he needs to bark to alert you.
'Ta' means 'thank you'. "A: Can you please pass me the sauce? B: Sure, here you go. A: Ta."
That's right – dating in Australia is about as casual as everything else. For the most part, everyone is going with the flow and hoping for the best. Dates are typically very informal. A date could be something as simple as getting a coffee or going to the pub together.
The behavior is a good sign that your dog is happy at home, happy with you, and happy with any other pets or friends that he might encounter throughout the day. As a general rule, Australian Shepherds need a lot of exercise and mental stimulation in order to feel happy.
Australian Shepherds enjoy cold weather, but cannot live outside in it.
Most Australian Shepherds will need 16 months to reach their full adult size, although many will already be at their adult height around a year old.
Your Mini Australian Shepherd might seem like the most anxious dog in the world, but if they become distracted by a lot of affection, a favorite toy, or some tasty rawhide, they aren't dealing with severe anxiety. Many owners provide their somewhat nervous dogs with calming treats to help anxious dogs relax.
If your Aussie has been re-homed or adopted, past traumas and fear of abandonment could also be associated with it. Other causes of anxiety such as fear or storm and noise phobias can intensify the manifestations of separation anxiety.
But everyone I spoke to cautioned against buying a mini Aussie just because they're adorable and seemingly easy to care for due to their small stature: Since Aussies are hyper-intelligent herding dogs, they typically need a lot of mental stimulation and physical exercise, and those unable to give them that should find ...
Bringing an Aussie dog to the family is not difficult, but taking its proper care is quite challenging. The first few weeks are spent on helping the pet acclimatize to the new surroundings. Its training also begins on the very first day so the Aussie understands house rules perfectly.
They require plenty of attention. Being left alone for too long may cause the intelligent, energetic Australian Shepherd to create her own fun—often through destructive behaviors or barking. While an Aussie may be left home alone for four to six hours at a time, crate training may be necessary for the dog's safety.
The bottom line. Australian Shepherds are bundles of fun, but they are also highly sensitive dogs. You should never leave an Aussie alone for more than four hours at a time, and try to make the most out of every day to prevent boredom and loneliness when they're left to their own devices.
Aussies are intelligent and learn basic obedience commands extremely quickly, but this is only part of how Aussie intelligence works. Aussies are problem-solvers and are renowned for their ability to think independently and make decisions on their own.
Australians are known their laid-back and relaxed attitude to life, and this is true to an extent at least. You'll likely meet quite a few locals who are chilled out, and take the time to enjoy life.